Disaster preparedness course for teens offered in Paso Robles
– The North San Luis Obispo County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is offering a 24-hour disaster preparedness course for teens aged 13 to 19. Classes will be held at Centennial Park, 600 Nickerson Drive, Paso Robles, from Tuesday, July 9 through Friday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The final class will take place at Paso Robles Fire Station 3, 2924 Union Road, on Saturday, July 13, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Students who complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and a teen CERT pack containing essential response equipment, including a helmet, vest, gloves, and eye safety protection. Registration for the teen CERT course is available at www.NorthSLOCountyCERT.org.
The training covers critical skills such as putting out small fires, conducting light search and rescue, assisting those who are injured, setting up medical treatment areas, assisting emergency responders, identifying and anticipating hazards, reducing fire hazards in the home and workplace, and helping reduce survivor stress.
During an emergency, a teen CERT member could organize volunteers, assist in evacuations, help survivors, provide damage assessment information, support shelter operations, and assist with crowd control.
Teen CERT members can also contribute to their schools year-round by participating in disaster drills and exercises, presenting fire safety education, assisting in preparedness outreach, providing peer mentoring, and addressing safety issues in the school.
